Staff Profile: Rachel Preston

After studying English at Liverpool University and completing teacher training at Manchester University, Rachel started working in primary schools in London. She worked primarily in Key Stage 1, and after two years became Infant Phase Leader. After moving to Shanghai to broaden her experience of different educational settings (and out of a passion for going on adventures!), she joined the NAIS Pudong Infant Leadership team in 2014. After one year, she joined Junior School, where she has been teaching Year 5 since 2015.

Professionally, Rachel has always strived to develop her skills in teaching English and Drama. Having worked in a children’s bookshop before becoming a teacher, she has a passion for children’s literature. Rachel spent two years completing her Masters at the Institute of Education in English Education, where her research focus was on the role of critical reading in young children. Since then, she has worked on developing phonics teaching and promoting creativity in reading. Rachel is English Subject Leader at NAIS Pudong.

After growing up in London, Rachel considers herself an honorary northerner after studying for four years in Liverpool and Manchester. This is Rachel’s first teaching post abroad and she loves living in China. She enjoys learning Mandarin, and is (slowly!) preparing for her fourth HSK exam. Her hobbies include yoga, running, cooking and reading.